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Evaluating Potential Exposures to Ecological Receptors Due to Transport of Hydrophobic Organic Contaminants in Subsurface Systems (Final Report)
Citation:
Ford, R., M. Brooks, C. Enfield, AND M. Kravitz. Evaluating Potential Exposures to Ecological Receptors Due to Transport of Hydrophobic Organic Contaminants in Subsurface Systems (Final Report). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/R-10/015, 2014.
Impact/Purpose:
This report was written in response to a request from EPA’s Ecological Risk Assessment Forum (ERAF) relating to the mechanisms by which hydrophobic organic contaminants (HOCs) may be transported to groundwater and downgradient media, and how these mechanisms affect exposures, bioaccumulation and toxic effects on ecological receptors. This technical paper recommends several types of screening assessments to evaluate site conditions for the potential to enhance transport of HOCs, as well as site artifacts that result from inadequate well installation and sampling procedures within a ground-water monitoring network. These assessments are incorporated into a suggested three-tiered decision analysis process that attempts to address all potential mechanisms that can result in HOC transport to surface water. For sites in which a complete exposure pathway exists from ground water to surface water, we summarize a process for using HOC exposure information to estimate risks to ecological receptors.
Description:
EPA's Ecological Risk Assessment Support Center (ERASC) announced the release of the final report, Evaluating Potential Exposures to Ecological Receptors Due to Transport of Hydrophobic Organic Contaminants in Subsurface Systems. This technical paper recommends several types of screening assessments to evaluate site conditions for the potential to enhance transport of HOCs, as well as site artifacts that result from inadequate well installation and sampling procedures within a ground-water monitoring network. These assessments are incorporated into a suggested three-tiered decision analysis process that attempts to address all potential mechanisms that can result in HOC transport to surface water. For sites in which a complete exposure pathway exists from ground water to surface water, we summarize a process for using HOC exposure information to estimate risks to ecological receptors.